17 Best Free Adobe Premiere Alternatives W/ Similar Features

Are you a video editing enthusiast looking for a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative? If you are, then you've come to the right place. Adobe Video Editor is a popular choice for professional video editors, much like Adobe Photoshop is for photo editing. However, the software can be quite expensive and may not be the best fit for everyone, especially beginners.

But don't worry, there are plenty of free Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives available that are just as powerful and user-friendly. In fact, we've compiled a list of the 17 best options. Whether you're on a budget or just starting in the world of video editing, you're sure to find an option that suits your needs.

Keep reading to learn more about these top-tier alternatives to Adobe video editing that can help you create stunning videos without breaking the bank.

• Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives
• How to Choose a Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative
• 17 Best Free Adobe Premiere Alternatives W/ Similar Features
• Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart
• How to Edit Videos With a Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative
• Download the Best Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative for Free
• Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives FAQ

Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives

How to Choose a Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative

When it comes to choosing a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, there are a few things you need to consider:

Features

Some of the free Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives on this list offer the same advanced features found in the Adobe video editor. Others are limited trial versions with few features compared to their premium counterparts. You’ll find beginner-friendly, pared-back toolsets and advanced editing software appropriate for professionals. Make sure you check that any free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative you consider has the features you need to edit videos.

Compatibility

What operating system do you use? Adobe video editing software is only available on Windows and Mac. It also requires a powerful computer with plenty of available RAM. When deciding on an alternative to Adobe Video Editor, be sure to check your computer against the software’s system requirements. 

Skill Level 

How much experience do you have with video editing? If you're a beginner, you'll want something simpler to use. If you're more experienced, you might be able to edit videos with a more complex program. Some free Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives will market themselves as “easy to use” but actually be anything but. If you are a beginner, be sure to read reviews to see what real users have to say before downloading software.

17 Best Free Adobe Premiere Alternatives W/ Similar Features

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Key Features

• Transitions: Discover a library of drag-and-drop transitions to connect footage perfectly.
• Millions of royalty-free stock assets: Access millions of royalty-free stock assets, including photos, videos, graphics, and more.
• Ready-Made motion titles: This alternative to Adobe video editing software has hundreds of customizable drag-and-drop titles and animated motion graphics.
• Thousands of templates: Save time with thousands of customizable video intros and an intuitive template designer.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Who It’s For

PowerDirector is the ideal free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for beginners who want to edit videos immediately with no learning curve. It offers an intuitive user interface with tools that are both easy to find and use. There are hundreds of drag-and-drop tools, including transitions, titles, stickers, and effects. Anyone who wants to create polished, professional videos without a film degree should try this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

Why We Picked It

You’ll find effects similar to those in Adobe video editing software, such as a mask designer, chroma key, blending modes, and motion tracking. Both PowerDirector and Adobe Video Editor offer time-saving tools such as automatic captions, a library of background tracks, and fast rendering. But PowerDirector is much easier to use and much more affordable.

One of the program’s strengths is its huge selection of AI-powered tools, which make it quicker and easier for users to apply advanced effects - regardless of skill level. Object detection, body effects, sky replacement, an art generator/sticker maker, speech enhancement, and background noise removal are just some of the one-click AI tools you can use to edit videos with this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

Bottom Line

This Adobe Video Editor alternative is quick and comprehensive, with pro-level features available at consumer-level simplicity. PowerDirector has been renowned for being on the cutting edge of speed and support for new video formats and effects. In fact, it has been PCMag Editors' Choice for years. Even though it comes packed with features, the program’s interface is straightforward and not as daunting as other professional software suites.

Try the top free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative today by clicking the link below.

Check out these related topics for video editing:

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2. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Independent Filmmakers

Key Features

• Color Grading: Adjust the color and tone of your videos with color grading tools that can create a desired look and feel.
• AI-Based magic mask: Using this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, you can isolate specific elements in your videos, making it easy to edit specific parts of the image.
• Multicam editing: Edit multiple camera angles at once, making it easy to switch between different shots and create a polished final product.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4.5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $295

Who It's For

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful alternative to Adobe video editing software used by professionals in the film industry. Some movies that have used it for post-production are Avatar, Dune, and Thor: Love and Thunder. We love DaVinci Resolve for independent filmmakers because it has a robust free version filled with pro-level tools.

Why We Picked It

This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative is divided into Pages, which are dedicated workspaces for each post-production stage from cutting to delivery. It includes a powerful Audio engine with support for 2,000 tracks, precise color grading tools, and high-quality visual effects.

Bottom Line

DaVinci Resolve is a handy video production toolkit that comes with all the features that professionals need for every aspect of post-production. However, this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative is not for the faint of heart and should only be used to edit videos by experts.

3. iMovie - Best for iPhone Videographers

Image from DesignBuckle.

Key Features

• Green screen effect: Replace the background of your videos with one click.
• Speed adjustment tools: Adjust the speed of your videos and create fast-paced or slow-motion effects.
• Picture-in-Picture: Easily combine multiple elements on the same screen using this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

Compatibility: macOS

PCMag Rating: 4.5 / 5

Price: Free

Who It's For

iMovie is the perfect alternative to Adobe video editing software for nonprofessionals who want to create a home-style video, such as a child's sports game or a family vacation. Like Final Cut Pro, it is fully optimized for iPhone footage. With this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, you can adjust the strength of Cinematic Mode, and even shift focus between subjects. You can easily share videos with all of your Apple devices and edit footage on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Why We Picked It

Beginners can jump right in with the Storyboards feature. This is a feature that allows you to create a rough draft of your video by piecing together clips in a sequence. This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative also has a Magic Movie tool, which identifies the best parts of your footage and automatically edits a cut with a few clicks.

Bottom Line

iMovie helps people create beautiful digital movies quickly and easily. This is definitely a top alternative to Adobe video editing software for any Mac users who have never tried to edit a video. However, we found our top choice PowerDirector to be more intuitive. And while iMovie won’t grow with you as your editing skills progress, PowerDirector has advanced features to help you bridge the gap between novice and pro.

4. Avid Media First - Best for Aspiring Professionals

Image from TechRadar.

Key Features

• Multicam editing: Edit up to 64 camera angles at once, making it easy to switch between different shots and create a polished final product.
• Motion effects: With this alternative to Adobe video editing software, you can add movement to static shots such as zoom, pan, dolly, and more.
• Advanced color correction: Correct and adjust color with advanced tools, including tone mapping, color grading, and more.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

G2 Rating: 4.1 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions start at $23.99/month

Who It's For

Avid Media Composer First is the free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for you if you want to learn to edit videos with the same software used by Hollywood professionals. It is the completely free and pared-back version of Avid Media Composer, a highly professional video editor created with professionals in mind. Like Adobe video editing software, it has excellent collaboration tools for large teams, and helpful tools to make cutting big projects easier.

Why We Picked It

If you are familiar with Adobe video editing and are looking for a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, Avid Media Composer First is a good option. It has a similar interface and learning curve to the Adobe video editor, and if you want to spring for the premium version, the price is the same. However, unlike Adobe video editing software, it is fully customizable.

Bottom Line

Avid Media First is a budget-friendly way for budding editors to learn the industry standard video editor. However, even the free version has a learning curve, and users ready to upgrade may find the price too high.

5. VideoProc Vlogger - Best Camera Movements

Image from TechRadar.

Key Features

• Transitions: 60+ presets to get you from one scene to the next.
• Speed adjustments: Slow down or speed up footage manually or with one of 20 speed presets.
• Audio editing: Remove background noise, fade in/out, apply audio effects, and edit videos to the beat using this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Creative Bloq Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Who It's For

VideoProc Vlogger is a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative with an impressive set of camera movements. Add a cinematic look to action camera footage or create motion where there is none using 28 motion presets. It goes beyond zooms and pans with complex camera movements you’d expect from Adobe video editing and not from free software. Apply tilt, dolly, roll, truck, fast zoom, rotation, and similar effects to your footage easily, then use the manual tools to customize effects precisely to your liking. You can even apply more than one motion effect on a single clip.

Why We Picked It

This alternative to Adobe video editor also comes with advanced color grading and color correction tools. You can import your own LUTs or use one of the software’s color filters. It offers support for RAW or HDR photos, and 4K or LOG video footage.

Bottom Line

VideoProc Vlogger is one of the best free Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives for anyone with an action camera such as a GoPro or drone. But it also works for a variety of uses and users (not just vloggers). However, it renders files quite slowly, especially when compared to the speed you get with Adobe video editing, and it lacks some tools more professional users might need.

6. Blender - Best for Animation

Image from Blender Artists.

Key Features

• Live preview: Preview your edits in real-time, making it easy to see the changes you are making.
• Waveform visualization: A free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative that lets you see the shape and structure of your audio to make more precise edits.
• Realistic simulations: Powerful simulation tools offered from industry-standard libraries such as MantaFlow and Bullet.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Who It's For

Blender is an open-source and free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative with many features you would expect to find in an advanced paid program. Blender excels in the area of 3D animation and is the perfect Adobe Video Editor alternative for animators or VFX artists on a budget.

Why We Picked It

Video editors interested in animation will love Blender’s toolset, which includes modeling and sculpting tools, a character animation pose editor, and motion paths that can be applied to character bone joints. This alternative to Adobe video editing software is also a full video editor, with adjustment layers, speed controls, and audio mixing tools among others

Bottom Line

Blender is loaded with tons of capabilities, from video editing to 3D animation. It is the equivalent of combining Adobe video editing software After Effects and Premiere Pro, but instead of paying over $50 a month for Adobe video editors, Blender is entirely free. While we highly recommend Blender for animators, if you are simply looking to edit videos, this is not the tool for you. Blender is highly complicated and filled with tools unnecessary for most video projects.

7. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Users

Image from BolderVideo.

Key Features

• Supports 360-degree footage: Edit and enhance 360-degree footage with tools designed specifically for this type of content.
• Object tracker: Track specific moving objects in your videos.
• Motion graphics: Add motion graphics to your videos to create engaging and dynamic content.

Compatibility: macOS

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: 90-day free trial, then $299

Who It's For

Final Cut Pro is an excellent alternative to Adobe video editing software for professionals seeking a one-time purchase versus a subscription. Apple loyalists will enjoy Final Cut Pro’s many advantages, such as support for videos shot in Cinematic mode on an iPhone, optimization for Apple Silicon, and unrivaled performance on MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.

Why We Picked It

The latest version of Final Cut Pro has a sleek, modern interface without tracks in the timeline.

This Magnetic timeline allows you to edit clips without destroying the original footage. It also utilizes Compound Clips, which allow users to bundle video and audio clips into a movable package. This is an alternative to Adobe video editing that makes it easy to rearrange your project without having to move each clip individually.

Bottom Line

We included Final Cut Pro on our list of free Abobe Premiere Pro alternatives because it has a very generous 90-day free trial, allowing you to edit videos for free for a full 3 months (Adobe video editor only has a 7-day free trial). However, its lack of a dedicated free option moved it behind the completely free Blender and VideoPro Vlogger on our updated list.

8. Shotcut - Best for Intermediate Users

Key Features

• Keyframing: Use keyframing to create precise and detailed animations, adjusting elements over time to create a desired movement or effect.
• Audio Mixing: Mix and edit your audio tracks to create professional-sounding audio for your videos.
• Blending Modes: Use similar tools to those found in Adobe video editing software to combine multiple elements on the same screen, creating unique and visually engaging effects.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

There are 3 free Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives on our list that are open source, and Shotcut falls in the middle. It has fewer advanced features than Blender, but more than OpenShot. It is also easier to use than the former, but not as beginner-friendly as the latter, making it our best alternative to Adobe video editing for intermediate users.

Why We Picked It

With Shotcut, you have access to advanced editing features similar to those found in Adobe Video Editor, but completely free of charge, including 360-degree video filters, color correction and grading tools, and over 40,000 templates. It also offers excellent format support and a wide variety of device and transport options.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative that is updated regularly to fix bugs and add the newest trends and technology. It is full of features but is missing a few key tools, such as direct uploads to social media and the ability to preview effects. It also has a slight learning curve, so brand-new editors looking for an open-source alternative to Adobe video editing software should try OpenShot.

9. HitFilm - Best for VFX Hobbyists

Key Features

• Audio effects: Use effects to enhance the audio in your videos and create professional-sounding audio tracks.
• Light leaks and lens flares: Create a desired look and feel with light effects.
• Social media presets: This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative optimizes videos for popular social media platforms.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions are available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99/month for Pro

Who It’s For

We recommend HitFilm for YouTubers and amateur filmmakers interested in VFX. This Adobe Video Editor alternative has over 180 editing effects which include keying, motion tracking, and 3D compositing. It also offers plug-in support to further expand its VFX capabilities.

Why We Picked It

VFX artists can edit videos from start to finish with HitFilm’s standard editing features like trim, crop, split, and flip, as well as drag-and-drop transitions, stock music, and text tools. Best of all, it is a completely free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative with premium subscription options at much more affordable price points.

Bottom Line

HitFilm’s list of features may sound daunting, but there are plenty of easy-to-find tutorials right on the UI, so beginners can learn to edit videos with VFX. It is also much easier to use than other VFX-heavy software, however, if you are a professional or advanced video editor you should try Blender or DaVinci Resolve as your free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

10. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Editing Enthusiasts

Key Features

• Split-Screen templates: Easily combine multiple elements on the same screen using presets.
• Color grading: Adjust the color and tone of your videos to create a desired look and feel.
• Motion tracking: Use this alternative to Adobe video editing software to track specific moving elements in your videos.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $79.99 for Pro and $99.99 for Ultimate

Who It’s For

Corel VideoStudio is an Adobe Video Editor alternative for nonprofessionals such as students, teachers, influencers, and YouTubers. Really anyone looking to create content for the fun of it will enjoy VideoStudio’s many features. 

Why We Picked It

With this alternative to Adobe video editing, you can make unique and exciting home videos with 3D and 360-degree capability, stop-motion animation, animated AR stickers, and interesting face effects. Content creators will enjoy the handy speech-to-text tool, GIF creator, and project templates that allow you to edit videos quickly.

Bottom Line

Intuitive and feature-packed, Corel VideoStudio is a good alternative to Adobe Video Editor for consumers. We placed it lower on our updated list, however, because it lacks an entirely free version.

11. Lightworks - Best Format Support

Key Features

• Multicam editing: Switch between multiple camera angles, creating a seamless and professional-looking video.
• Cloud storage: Store your projects and media in the cloud, allowing you to access your work from anywhere.
• Motion graphics: Edit videos with animated elements and effects which bring your footage to life.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $24.99/month for Lightworks Pro

Who It’s For

Lightworks is a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for users who need to incorporate different types of media into their videos. It will accept almost any type of media imaginable and allows you to sign in directly to a host of services to retrieve your files (including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more). This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative covers a range of users with versions at different price points and skill levels.

Why We Picked It

Lightworks can be used to edit videos for social media or the big screen. It has simple social media export options and advanced metadata tools. It’s also a good alternative to Adobe Video Editor for broadcast editors. A feature we found unique to Lightworks was Automated Quality Control, which automatically ensures your videos meet all major delivery requirements in every country.

Bottom Line

While we were impressed with the tools available in Lightworks’ free version, we were disappointed that it caps exports at 720p. Fortunately, it offers a mid-range version for creators at a lower price point than the Adobe video editor, while the pro version costs the same. All versions have a learning curve, and it rises with the price point.

12. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media

Key Features

• Auto-Reframe: Use the auto-reframe feature to automatically adjust your video to different aspect ratios, ensuring that your content looks great on any screen.
• Stop-Motion Animator: Create stop-motion animations with this Adobe video editor.
• Guided Edits: This beginner-friendly Adobe video editing software guides you through the editing process step-by-step.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 3.5 / 5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99

Who It’s For

Adobe Premiere Elements is a great alternative to Premiere Pro for those loyal to Adobe video editing. We like it for busy influencers who need a quick and easy way to create and organize content. The software will automatically tag your photos and videos so you can find them easily, or you can create your own folders and tags. This beginner-friendly Adobe video editor has embraced AI and automation so you can edit videos with as few clicks as possible.

Why We Picked It

Even though this is not professional software like other Adobe video editors, Premiere Elements has all the tools most people need to create high-quality content. A recent update saw the addition of fun artistic effects, new slideshow templates in modern designs, and 100 more audio tracks added to the stock library.

Bottom Line

While not a completely free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, it’s a good choice for anyone loyal or familiar with Adobe video editing who is looking for a cheaper, subscription-free alternative. It also boasts a much longer free trial (a month of free use compared to a week). Unfortunately, even if you have a Creative Cloud subscription, you will have to pay extra for Adobe Premiere Elements, as it is not included. What you gain in user-friendliness, you lose in features - you won’t find Multicam, 360-degree, or 3D editing in this video editing software.

13. InVideo - Best for Templates

Image from hindustantimes.

Key Features

• 40+ fluid animations: This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative has over 40 fluid animations to add visual interest to your presentations and videos.
• Record voice-over: Record a voiceover directly in the software, making it easy to narrate your presentations and videos.
• Team collaboration tools: Share your work and get feedback from others, even if you're in different locations.

Compatibility: Web browser

Digital Camera World Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $15/month for Business and $30/month for Unlimited

Who It’s For

InVideo is a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for those who don’t want to install software on their computer. This Adobe Video Editor alternative has over 5,000 professionally-designed templates in easily searchable categories. These fully-customizable templates make InVideo ideal for beginners or those who edit videos with fast-approaching deadlines.

Why We Picked It

This free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative comes with a unique text-to-video editor where you can convert a blog, article, or script into a video. There are over 50 themes to choose from that will animate your text and add eye-catching colors. If you prefer more creative control, you can work from scratch to create your video, and even incorporate your brand kit.

Bottom Line

InVideo is a quick and easy free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for people who edit on the go since it is entirely online and accessible anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. The biggest hurdle we found when trying to edit videos with this software was the export quality. The free version only exports videos at 720p, and even the top-tier Unlimited version only goes up to 1080p, despite being more expensive than Adobe video editing software.

14. VEGAS Pro - Best for Audio Editing

Key Features

• Text-to-Speech tool: Use this alternative to Adobe video editor to convert text into speech, making it easy to add audio to your presentations and videos.
• Color LUTs: Import and export LUTs or edit videos with a preset found in the software.
• Royalty-Free stock content: Choose from a large selection of royalty-free audio, images, and video.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $12.99/month for Vegas Edit, $19.99/month for Vegas Pro, and $29.99/month for Vegas Post

Who It's For

VEGAS Pro falls right in the middle of other Adobe Video Editor alternatives on our list as far as ease of use, price, and feature set, making it a great choice for intermediate editors. This alternative to Adobe video editing software also has advanced audio editing tools you can use to record podcasts and voice-overs, create sound effects, mix audio, and remove background noise.

Why We Picked It

It offers team collaboration tools and pro-level color grading but is easier to use than DaVinci Resolve or Avid Media Composer. We enjoyed using the AI tools, which allowed us to apply effects like style transfers, colorization of black-and-white footage, and content upscaling with one click.

Bottom Line

VEGAS Pro goes beyond the basics while remaining a viable Adobe Video Editor alternative for editing enthusiasts. However, the interface is not very intuitive, and tutorials for the software are hard to find, so beginners will struggle. We recommend PowerDirector as a better alternative. It also comes with AI tools and advanced color and audio features, but it remains easy enough for first-time users. PowerDirector also has a dedicated free version and offers all of its tools for about a third of the price of VEGAS’s lowest-tier software.  

15. OpenShot - Best for Beginners

Key Features

• Support for over 70 languages: The software is accessible to a large and diverse audience.
• Audio waveforms: Use this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative to visualize audio data and edit audio tracks.
• Vector title templates: Choose from over 40 vector title templates to add eye-catching titles to your videos.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Creative Bloq Rating: 3 / 5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

OpenShot is a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative with a simple layout and refreshingly spartan UI, which makes it unintimidating for beginners. However, with so many hidden tools, most people who use OpenShot won’t discover all it has to offer. Beginners will also love the easy drag-and-drop effects and transitions, and appreciate the easy-to-use advanced features like time effects and 3D animation.

Why We Picked It

Though most users won’t go above the 5-track default, this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative allows you to add an unlimited number of tracks for audio, photos, overlays, and more. It comes with a background remover, color inverter, title editor, and everything a beginner would need to edit videos that are high-quality.

Bottom Line

OpenShot is a beginner-friendly free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative with some advanced features, and it is lightweight on computer resources. It is an excellent way to edit videos for anyone who wants to learn more about the editing process. However, it is below other beginner-friendly options like PowerDirector and iMovie because it is not very stable, and many effects are hit-or-miss.

16. Nero Video - Best Playback

Image from Nero Video.

Key Features

• Multitrack timeline: It allows users to edit multiple audio and video tracks simultaneously.
• AI upscaling: This alternative to Adobe video editing software makes it possible to improve the resolution of videos and photos.
• Green screen effect: Easily replace the background of videos and photos.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: 15-day free trial, then $59.95

Who It’s For

Nero Video is a much easier alternative to Adobe Video Editor for beginners. We found you can playback your footage on any screen at full-size. Nero comes with an Extended Screen option that automatically eliminates the black bars found in widescreen. You can also import vertical videos taken on your smartphone and edit videos with perfectly staged vertical templates.

Why We Picked It

With this substitute to Adobe video editing software, you can edit videos in Express Mode (Storyboard view) or Advanced Mode (traditional timeline), depending on your skill level. Beginners will also appreciate the 1,000+ video templates and automatic movie options, while more advanced users will like the range of video effects. Effects include tilt shift, slow motion, keyframe animations, and more.

Bottom Line

Although it only offers a free trial and isn’t a completely free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, Nero Video offers lots of tools at a fraction of the price. However, Nero lacks advanced tools such as multicam editing, AI art effects, and support for 360-degree VR. It also suffers from an outdated interface and has slow performance. If you are looking for an easy-to-use and free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, we recommend PowerDirector.

17. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for Older Computers

Key Features

• Animated text: Add animation to text and convey information in a unique way.
• Color correction: Achieve a professional appearance with adjustable color wheels and color keyframes.
• Picture-in-Picture and Split-Screen: Display multiple video clips simultaneously using this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: Free

*Premium version is $19.99

Who It’s For

If you have an outdated PC, you probably can’t install any Adobe video editors, since they have high system requirements. And even if you have the room to download them, trying to edit videos could prove a slow and glitchy process. VSDC Free Video Editor is the perfect free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative for those who wish to edit videos on old, outdated desktops, or laptops. VSDC is very light on computer resources, with built-in hardware acceleration to lower CPU and increase editing speed.

Why We Picked It

Although it is a pared-down video editor, we consider VSDC a worthy free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative. It has some advanced tools and features, such as multi-color chroma-key, masking, 360-degree editing, and a library of effects, filters, and transitions.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, VSDC could fit the bill. And if you find you need more tools, the premium version is very affordable. However, even springing for VSDC Pro won’t get you all the tools found in Adobe video editor, and it is surprisingly hard to use considering it is free software for beginners. PowerDirector is a better option, as it has a more advanced toolset but is much easier to use.

Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart

How to Edit Videos With a Free Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative

Here is a quick tutorial on how to edit videos using PowerDirector. Click the link below to download our #1 free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative and follow along.

1. Open PowerDirector and choose a video aspect ratio. Click New Project.

2. Click the giant Import icon, choose a video (or videos) to edit, and click Open.
3. Once your video files are in the Media Library, drag and drop them onto the Video Timeline. 

4. Trim clips by moving the Video Timeline Slider to the place where you want to trim your video. Click the Scissors icon above the timeline to Trim. If you want to split your clip, click the Cutter icon.  

5. Click on the Transition Room icon which looks like a lightning bolt and can be found in the left-hand vertical menu. Here you can preview transitions, then drag your favorite between two clips.

6. Enter the Title Room (letter T icon) and drag your preferred title template to the title track. You can customize your text using the Text Designer.

7. Enter the Media Room, select Media Content, then Background Music to add a background track to your video. Download your favorite, then drag it to the audio track on your timeline.  

8. Click the blue Export tab from the top left of your screen to export your video. Once you’ve selected your output format and location, hit Start to produce and save your video.

For more information on how to edit videos with our top free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative, visit the Learning Center.

Download the Best Adobe Premiere Pro Alternative for Free

PowerDirector is the best free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative. Like Adobe, PowerDirector offers a wide range of advanced tools and features that home video creators, social media influencers, YouTubers, and independent filmmakers can use to edit videos from start to finish. However, PowerDirector is much easier to use and costs much less. 

Of all the alternatives to Adobe Video Editor on this list, PowerDirector is #1, with the best combination of value, features, and user-friendliness. 

It is free to download, so you can check it out for yourself by clicking the link below. See why PCMag named this free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative “The best enthusiast-level video editor money can buy.”